Open living spaces are fantastic for creating flow and connection, but they can also feel tricky when it comes to arranging furniture. Without the natural boundaries of walls, it’s easy for a sofa to look like it’s floating awkwardly in the middle of the room—or worse, for the space to feel cluttered. The good news? With a few smart placement strategies, your sofa can anchor the room, create zones, and make the entire space feel balanced.

Use the Sofa as a Room Divider

One of the simplest tricks in an open plan is to place your sofa with its back to another area—like the dining space or kitchen. This instantly defines the lounge zone without needing walls or partitions. Add a slim console table behind the sofa to make it feel even more intentional (and to sneak in some extra storage for décor or everyday items).

Float the Sofa Away from Walls

It’s tempting to push the sofa against the wall, but in an open plan, this can leave the middle of the room feeling too empty. Instead, “float” the sofa toward the center of the space. This creates a cozy, defined lounge area while keeping the open feel intact. Pair it with a rug to ground the arrangement, and suddenly the sofa looks like it belongs exactly where it is.

Angle the Sofa for Interest

Not every sofa has to sit straight. In large open rooms, angling the sofa slightly toward a feature—like a fireplace, window, or TV—can create a more dynamic setup. It breaks up boxy layouts and adds a sense of flow that makes the room feel lived-in rather than staged.

Pair Sofas with Chairs for Balance

Sometimes, one sofa isn’t enough to anchor an open plan. Adding armchairs or a loveseat at an angle can create a defined seating “conversation area.” This works especially well if you have a large, rectangular space where a single sofa looks lost on its own.

A customer once told us they added two accent chairs opposite their sofa, and suddenly their open-plan lounge went from looking bare to feeling like a welcoming hub for family gatherings.

Consider Sightlines

When placing a sofa, think about what you’ll see from both sitting and standing positions. Do you want the sofa facing the TV, the fireplace, or a beautiful view outside? In open living, arranging the sofa so it highlights your home’s best features helps the whole space feel intentional.

Don’t Forget Walkways

Flow is everything in open plans. Leave enough room for people to move comfortably between zones—around 75–90 cm of walkway space is ideal. A sofa shouldn’t block paths to the kitchen, dining, or entryway. The layout should feel natural, not like a maze.

The beauty of open living is its flexibility, and the sofa is often the key piece that ties everything together. Whether you use it as a divider, float it in the middle, or angle it toward a focal point, smart sofa placement helps you carve out a lounge area that feels cozy without closing off the openness of the room.